Cherries Fight Arthritis, Gout, Inflammation

Studies suggest that cherries may help reduce symptoms of osteoarthritis (OA). Researchers at the Philadelphia VA Medical Center say 53 patients with knee OA who consumed two 8-ounce bottles of tart cherry juice daily reported a significant improvement in pain, stiffness, and physical function after six weeks. Each bottle of juice equaled about 45 cherries.  In a study of 633 participants, Boston University Medical Center researchers found that eating at least 10 cherries a day protected people with existing gout from recurrent attacks. The findings were published in a supplement to the journal Arthritis & Rheumatism.1 Dark cherries are packed with unique anthocyanins and other compounds that naturally mediate the inflammatory process. These compounds deliver anti-inflammatory activity equal to ibuprofen (Advil®) and naproxen (Aleve®)7—but without the significant side effects!2

Notes:

1 http://www.arthritistoday.org/what-you-can-do/eating-well/arthritis-diet/cherries.php

2 http://www.lef.org/magazine/2013/6/Anti-Inflammatory-Properties-of-Tart-Cherry/Page-01?checked=1